Simply Great Education
To Actually Influence the World
LeaderEd Depth is a mentored Depth Phase education
for adults ready to discover, prepare for, and live their mission.
Most education ends too early.
It gives information, credentials, or technical skill—
but leaves people uncertain about who they are, what they’re called to do,
and how to take meaningful responsibility in the world.
LeaderEd Depth exists to solve that problem.
This is not a course.
Not coaching.
Not content to consume.
LeaderEd Depth is a serious, mentored intellectual community
designed for people who are ready to move beyond preparation and into purpose.
What Depth Phase Is Really About
Depth Phase is the stage of life where education becomes personal.
It’s where individuals:
discover their mission
develop the initiative to act on it
align their education with real purpose
and prepare to make a meaningful impact
This phase cannot be standardized.
It cannot be rushed.
And it cannot be outsourced.
It requires responsibility, struggle, and guidance.
LeaderEd Depth is built to provide exactly that.
Mentored, Not Managed
LeaderEd Depth is largely self-paced by design.
There is a general rhythm and structure—but in practice, every scholar’s pace is customized through mentorship.
No two participants move through Depth the same way, because:
missions are different
callings are different
life contexts are different
This is not conveyor-belt education.
It is guided ownership—where participants learn to take responsibility for their growth, their thinking, and their direction, with a mentor who helps discern when to press forward, slow down, or change focus.
Read Great Classics. Discuss Them With Great Mentors.
At its core, Depth is simple—and demanding.
Participants:
read great books that shape judgment and wisdom
discuss them deeply with other serious adults
and are mentored to connect ideas to real life, real problems, and real responsibility
This process has shaped leaders across history.
LeaderEd Depth revives it as preparation for the world we actually live in.
We must forge leaders for our changing world.
Why So Many Capable Individuals
Feel Unprepared for Their Life’s Work
Education Often Ends Before Purpose Begins
Many people today are educated—but not prepared.
They’ve completed school, earned credentials, and learned how to function within systems. Yet when it comes time to make meaningful decisions about life, work, leadership, and contribution, they feel uncertain.
Not because they lack intelligence.
Not because they lack opportunity.
But because their education never fully addressed the questions that matter most.
The Gap Between Knowledge and Responsibility
Modern education excels at transferring information.
What it rarely does is teach people how to:
discern a mission
take initiative without being told
align learning with real-world responsibility
persist through uncertainty and difficulty
decide what ought to be done, not just what can be done
As a result, many capable adults reach freedom without direction—and opportunity without clarity.
This gap is not a personal failure.
It’s a structural one.
Why College and Work Often Aren’t Enough
College can provide credentials and exposure.
Work can provide experience and income.
But neither reliably provides:
sustained mentorship
formation of judgment
space to wrestle with big ideas
or guidance in aligning education with calling
So people keep moving—collecting degrees, switching jobs, chasing opportunities—
while quietly wondering:
What am I actually meant to do with my life?
Depth Phase Exists to Close This Gap
Depth Phase is the stage of life when education must become personal.
It’s when individuals stop asking:
“What should I study?”
and begin asking:
“What am I responsible to do?”
This phase requires:
time
seriousness
struggle
and wise mentorship
Without it, people often remain perpetually prepared—but never fully committed.
LeaderEd Depth was created to provide the missing environment where purpose can emerge and responsibility can take root.
So What Is LeaderEd Depth?
A Mentored Depth Phase Education
LeaderEd Depth is a mentored Depth Phase education for adults who are ready to align their learning with their life’s work.
It exists for people who have already proven they can function within systems—but now need an environment that helps them:
clarify purpose
develop initiative
sharpen judgment
and take meaningful responsibility
This is not general education.
It is not professional training.
It is education ordered toward mission.
Structured—But Not Standardized
LeaderEd Depth has a structure and a rhythm—but it is not rigidly scheduled.
There is a general path of study, discussion, and engagement.
But in practice, each participant’s pace is customized through mentorship.
In fact, almost no one follows the “ideal” schedule as written.
Why?
Because Depth Phase education must respond to:
real life
real constraints
real callings
and real readiness
Some participants move quickly through readings.
Others slow down to wrestle deeply with a single idea.
Some shift focus temporarily as life or mission demands.
This is not a flaw in the program.
It is the point.
Ownership Is the Curriculum
In Depth Phase, ownership matters more than coverage.
LeaderEd Depth is designed to help participants learn how to:
take responsibility for their education
discern when to press forward and when to slow down
identify what is essential rather than merely interesting
and follow through without external enforcement
Mentorship does not remove responsibility.
It transfers it.
Participants are not managed, tracked, or micromanaged.
They are guided, challenged, and expected to grow.
An Environment Where Purpose Can Emerge
Depth Phase education requires a particular kind of environment.
One that:
values seriousness without rigidity
expects struggle without shame
allows time for clarity to form
and insists that learning eventually lead to action
LeaderEd Depth creates that environment through:
sustained engagement with great ideas
thoughtful discussion with other serious adults
and ongoing mentorship that keeps education aligned with real life
This is where preparation becomes commitment—and learning begins to take on weight.
Depth Phase Begins
When Preparation Is No Longer Enough
Every Education Phase Has a Purpose
In the early phases of education, the goal is preparation.
Students learn:
how to read
how to write
how to think
how to follow structure
how to build foundational skills
These phases matter.
But they are not meant to last forever.
At some point, preparation must give way to purpose.
That transition marks the beginning of Depth Phase.
The Question Changes in the Depth Phase
Before Depth, the primary questions are:
What should I learn?
What do I need to know?
What comes next?
In Depth Phase, the questions become:
What am I responsible to do?
What problem am I meant to engage?
What work is mine to carry?
This shift is subtle—but profound.
Education is no longer about accumulation.
It becomes about alignment. And—if you can believe it—real depth.
Why Depth Phase Cannot Be Standardized
Depth Phase is inherently personal.
Missions differ.
Callings differ.
Contexts differ.
This is why the Depth Phase cannot be reduced to:
fixed schedules
standardized outcomes
identical assignments
or uniform timelines
Attempting to standardize Depth doesn’t make it rigorous—it makes it shallow.
True Depth requires:
initiative
discernment
sustained effort
and real responsibility
These qualities can only develop when individuals are trusted—and guided—to take ownership.
Education That Leads to Contribution
The purpose of Depth Phase is not self-improvement for its own sake.
It is preparation for contribution.
Participants in LeaderEd Depth are not asked merely to understand ideas—but to allow those ideas to shape:
how they see the world
how they judge what matters
and how they act within their spheres of influence
Depth Phase education prepares individuals to:
step into leadership
engage complexity without retreat
and take responsibility where others wait for direction
This is the kind of education societies depend on—but rarely provide.
LeaderEd Depth Creates the Conditions Depth Requires
LeaderEd Depth exists because Depth Phase requires a specific environment—one that is rare in modern life.
An environment that:
takes ideas seriously
expects responsibility
allows time for clarity to form
and provides mentorship without control
This is not education for everyone.
It is education for those who are ready to move beyond preparation—and begin living their work.
How LeaderEd Depth Works in Practice
LeaderEd Depth is intentionally simple in structure—and demanding in substance.
Rather than filling your time with constant assignments or rigid schedules,
the program is built around a few core practices,
repeated over time, that develop judgment, initiative, and responsibility.
What matters most is not speed or volume—but engagement.
Serious Reading That Shapes Judgment
Participants in LeaderEd Depth read great books and important works that have shaped:
civilizations
systems of thought
leadership traditions
and moral reasoning
These readings are not chosen for entertainment or trendiness.
They are chosen because they:
reward careful attention
challenge assumptions
and form the habits of thought required for leadership
Reading is not rushed.
And it is never disconnected from real life.
Thoughtful Discussion With Other Serious Adults
Reading alone is not enough.
Participants engage in written and live discussions with other adults who are equally committed to Depth.
These discussions:
sharpen thinking
reveal blind spots
develop clarity of expression
and teach respectful disagreement
Mentors guide the discussions—not to provide answers, but to raise the level of thought and responsibility.
This is where ideas are tested, refined, and integrated.
Mentorship That Customizes the Journey
LeaderEd Depth is largely self-paced, but never self-directed in isolation.
Mentorship plays a central role in helping participants:
discern priorities
adjust pacing
identify when to push and when to pause
and align study with real-world responsibility
Because each person’s mission and context differ,
no two Depth journeys look the same.
The mentor’s role is not to manage progress—but to help ensure that progress is real.
Ownership Instead of External Enforcement
There are tracks with checklists.
But not for compliance.
Not for grades.
They are to help set Depth level habits.
Participants are expected to:
manage their time
take responsibility for follow-through
communicate when they struggle
and make adjustments as needed
This is not an oversight failure.
It is how the Depth Phase trains adults to function without being managed.
Responsibility is learned by being responsible. Taking ownership.
A Rhythm That Supports Real Life
LeaderEd Depth is designed to work within real life—not replace it.
Participants often balance Depth with:
work
college or trade school
family responsibilities
leadership or civic commitments
Rather than competing with these realities, Depth is meant to integrate with them, helping participants think more clearly about the work they are already doing—or preparing to do.
Depth Requires Mentorship—Not Management
Why Mentorship Is Essential in Depth Phase
In Depth Phase, information is no longer the problem.
Direction is.
People at this stage don’t just need content—they need:
discernment
perspective
challenge
and someone who can see the whole arc of their development
This is why mentorship sits at the center of LeaderEd Depth.
Without mentorship, Depth collapses into either:
unfocused exploration
or rigid self-imposed systems that miss the point
Neither produces real formation.
The Role of the Mentor
In LeaderEd Depth, the mentor’s role is not to:
assign tasks
monitor compliance
or dictate outcomes
Instead, the mentor:
helps clarify purpose and strategy
challenges shallow thinking
asks the questions participants avoid asking themselves
and presses for alignment between belief, study, and action
This kind of mentorship requires trust—and seriousness on both sides.
It cannot be automated.
And it cannot be replaced by peer accountability alone.
Guidance Without Control
LeaderEd Depth mentorship is intentionally non-controlling.
Participants are not managed through:
checklists
deadlines enforced by threat
or constant oversight
Instead, mentorship provides:
honest feedback
perspective shaped by experience
correction when needed
and encouragement when struggle is real
Responsibility is never removed from the participant.
It is strengthened.
Mentorship That Matches Real Life
Because LeaderEd Depth participants live in the real world, mentorship adapts to real circumstances.
Some participants need:
help discerning next steps
support navigating uncertainty
encouragement to stay with difficult work
Others need:
a challenge to stop preparing and start acting
pressure to commit
or correction when effort is misdirected
Mentorship in Depth is responsive—not formulaic.
A Relationship That Shapes Judgment Over Time
The most valuable outcome of mentorship is not advice.
It is judgment.
Over time, participants learn how to:
assess situations more clearly
recognize when they are avoiding responsibility
make decisions with greater confidence
and act without needing constant reassurance
This is what prepares people for leadership—not dependency.
Depth Is Meant to Lead Somewhere
Serious Study Is the Foundation
At the core of LeaderEd Depth is serious study.
Participants engage deeply with:
great books
foundational ideas
and enduring questions
This study forms judgment, clarity, and intellectual discipline.
But study alone is not the goal.
In the Depth Phase, learning must eventually lead to real responsibility.
The Project Year:
Focused Work With Real Weight
LeaderEd Depth includes a dedicated Project Year, designed as a season of concentrated effort and contribution.
Rather than attempting to balance heavy reading and major projects at the same time, the Project Year intentionally:
reduces reading load
increases focus on a single, substantial project
and aligns work with the participant’s emerging mission
Projects are not assignments.
They are real-world efforts that require:
initiative
sustained effort
problem-solving
and follow-through
Each project is self-selected and mentor-directed, shaped to fit the participant’s goals, capacity, and mission.
Projects Are Timed for Readiness—Not the Calendar
Not every participant enters a Project Year at the same time.
Some engage projects after an extended season of study.
Others are guided into projects when circumstances or opportunity make action necessary.
For participants in the Continuing Education Track, projects may be:
undertaken selectively
initiated when needed
or used to support current leadership or civic work
This flexibility ensures that projects serve mission, not the schedule.
From Ideas to Contribution
The purpose of the Project Year is not productivity for its own sake.
It is integration.
Participants learn to:
apply ideas to real problems
test judgment under pressure
confront uncertainty and resistance
and discover what responsibility actually feels like
This is where Depth becomes tangible.
Study sharpens thinking.
Projects reveal character.
Both are necessary.
Real Work Changes How Learning Is Taken Seriously
When participants know their learning will be tested by real work, something changes.
Reading becomes more attentive.
Discussion becomes more honest.
Mentorship becomes more consequential.
LeaderEd Depth does not separate education from life.
It intentionally brings them together.
Learning Deepens When Ideas Are Tested
Why Simulations Exist in Depth Phase
In Depth Phase, understanding ideas is not enough.
Judgment is formed when ideas are tested under pressure.
This is where simulations play a role in LeaderEd Depth—not as entertainment, and not as scheduled curriculum, but as intentional learning environments when circumstances call for them.
Simulations are used to:
expose assumptions
reveal decision-making patterns
test leadership under constraint
and surface gaps between belief and action
They are not frequent.
And they are never casual. But they are a lot of fun.
Used When They Matter—Not on a Calendar
LeaderEd Depth does not run simulations on a fixed schedule.
Instead, simulations are introduced:
when current events provide meaningful context
when group readiness makes immersion valuable
or when mentorship identifies the need for experiential challenge
Some simulations are brief and embedded within discussions.
Others are longer, immersive experiences that require focused engagement.
Week-long simulations occur only at the mentor’s discretion—when depth, timing, and readiness align.
What Simulations Reveal
Simulations are powerful because they remove abstraction.
Participants quickly discover:
how they respond to uncertainty
whether they lead or wait
how they communicate under pressure
and where judgment holds—or breaks down
These insights cannot be gained through reading alone.
But without serious context, simulations lose their value.
That is why they are used sparingly—and guided carefully.
Real-World Engagement Beyond Simulation
LeaderEd Depth also encourages engagement with the real world through:
projects tied to actual needs
leadership opportunities already present in participants’ lives
civic, professional, or community responsibility
Depth Phase education is not about rehearsal forever.
It is about preparing individuals to act—thoughtfully and responsibly—when it matters.
There Is One Depth Community
And A Few Ways to Enter
LeaderEd Depth is a single, shared intellectual community.
Participants read together, discuss together, and are mentored within the same Depth Phase framework.
What differs is life context.
Below are the three primary paths participants take into LeaderEd Depth.
Intensive Track
For Young Adults
Seeking a College-Level Depth Phase Experience
The Intensive Track is for young adults who want Depth to be their primary educational focus.
This path is often chosen by participants who:
are questioning traditional college
want an education ordered toward purpose, not credentials
are ready to take learning seriously as preparation for their life’s work
want sustained mentorship and intellectual immersion
What this track includes:
Full access to Depth courses and study materials
Participation in the Depth discussion forum
Live group discussions
One-on-one mentoring with Ian Cox as needed
Access to special Depth events and opportunities
Concurrent Track
For Young Adults
Attending College or Trade School
The Concurrent Track is for participants who are already:
enrolled in college or trade school
working toward a profession
or balancing education with a carreer
This path allows Depth to supplement and deepen what participants are already doing—without competing for full attention.
This track is often chosen by those who:
want mentorship alongside technical or academic training
feel intellectually underfed by their current program
want a serious place to wrestle with ideas and direction
What this track includes:
Access to core Depth courses and readings
Participation in the discussion forum
Live group discussions
One-on-one mentor check-ins once per quarter, as needed
Continuing Education Track
For Adults
Engaged in Leadership, Civic, or Community Work
The Continuing Education Track is for adults who are already carrying responsibility—but want to deepen their judgment, clarity, and leadership.
This path is often chosen by:
community organizers
elected officials
educators and mentors
social leaders and concerned citizens
professionals seeking intellectual and moral grounding
Depth here is not preparation—it is refinement and alignment.
What this track includes:
Full access to Depth courses
Additional access to all other Leadership Education programs and studies
Participation in the discussion forum
One-on-one mentoring with Ian Cox, as needed
One Community. Different Responsibilities.
All participants in LeaderEd Depth share:
the same intellectual seriousness
the same expectations of responsibility
and the same commitment to growth
Tracks exist to honor life context, not to separate people by status.
Depth is defined by posture—not by age.
What Begins to Change Over Time
Clarity Replaces Anxiety
Participants often begin LeaderEd Depth carrying uncertainty.
Not confusion about ability—but about direction.
Over time, many experience a shift:
less pressure to “figure everything out” immediately
greater confidence in their ability to discern next steps
increased patience with uncertainty
and a growing sense of alignment between learning and life
Clarity in Depth Phase rarely arrives all at once.
It develops through sustained engagement and responsibility.
Judgment Becomes More Reliable
Through serious reading, discussion, and mentorship, participants begin to:
think more carefully before acting
articulate ideas with greater precision
recognize weak reasoning—both in others and themselves
and make decisions with greater confidence
This is not about having stronger opinions.
It is about having better judgment.
Initiative Replaces Waiting
Many capable people wait longer than they should.
They wait for:
credentials
permission
certainty
or ideal conditions
In Depth Phase, participants learn that readiness is often formed through action.
Over time, many begin to:
initiate meaningful work
take responsibility without being asked
persist through resistance
and act even when outcomes are unclear
This is a defining shift—from preparation to contribution.
Learning Becomes Integrated With Life
LeaderEd Depth does not exist apart from real life.
As participants engage deeply with ideas, they begin to:
connect reading to real-world problems
apply discussion insights to current responsibilities
see their work, studies, or leadership roles differently
Education stops being something they do “on the side.”
It becomes a lens through which they see and engage the world.
A Sense of Belonging Among Serious People
Many participants arrive feeling intellectually isolated.
In LeaderEd Depth, they find:
peers who take ideas seriously
conversations that matter
and a community that expects growth without pretense
This shared seriousness often becomes one of the most sustaining aspects of the experience.
What Participants Say
About the Depth Experience
People often struggle to describe LeaderEd Depth succinctly.
Not because it’s confusing—but because it changes how participants relate to learning, responsibility, and purpose over time.
Below are reflections from people who have lived inside Depth Phase.
“Depth didn’t give me answers—it gave me better questions.
For the first time, I wasn’t just preparing endlessly. I was expected to take responsibility for what I believed and what I was going to do about it. That shift changed how I approach everything—my work, my learning, and my sense of direction.”
— Intensive Track Participant
“What surprised me most was how much judgment matters.
The reading and discussions were challenging, but the real growth came through mentorship—being asked hard questions I couldn’t avoid. Depth didn’t tell me what to do. It taught me how to decide.”
— Concurrent Track Participant
“I already had a career and leadership responsibilities when I joined Depth. I wasn’t looking for credentials—I was looking for clarity.
Depth gave me a serious intellectual community and a mentor who could help me align what I was already doing with what actually mattered. That has been invaluable.”
— Continuing Education Participant
“Depth is not comfortable. And that’s exactly why it works.
It expects you to show up, to think honestly, and to take responsibility for your development. Over time, that pressure—combined with mentorship—changes how you carry yourself in the world.”
— Continuing Education Participant
A Common Thread
Across different ages and tracks, participants consistently describe:
greater clarity of purpose
stronger judgment
increased confidence in decision-making
and a deeper sense of responsibility
These changes don’t happen overnight.
They emerge through sustained seriousness—and a willingness to engage Depth Phase fully.
Enrollment Is Simple—and Intentional
LeaderEd Depth is designed for people who are ready to engage seriously.
Enrollment is done by quarter, allowing participants to
begin when they are ready,
reassess as their life and mission develop,
and continue as long as Depth remains the right container.
This structure respects both freedom and responsibility.
Investment by Track
LeaderEd Depth is a high-touch, mentored education.
Pricing reflects the seriousness of the commitment and the level of mentorship involved.
Intensive Track
For Young Adults
Seeking a College-Level Depth Phase Experience
The Intensive Track is for young adults who want Depth to be their primary educational focus.
This path is often chosen by participants who:
are questioning traditional college
want an education ordered toward purpose, not credentials
are ready to take learning seriously as preparation for their life’s work
want sustained mentorship and intellectual immersion
What this track includes:
Full access to Depth courses and study materials
Participation in the Depth discussion forum
Live group discussions
One-on-one mentoring with Ian Cox as needed
Access to special Depth events and opportunities
Concurrent Track
For Young Adults
Attending College or Trade School
The Concurrent Track is for participants who are already:
enrolled in college or trade school
working toward a profession
or balancing education with a carreer
This path allows Depth to supplement and deepen what participants are already doing—without competing for full attention.
This track is often chosen by those who:
want mentorship alongside technical or academic training
feel intellectually underfed by their current program
want a serious place to wrestle with ideas and direction
What this track includes:
Access to core Depth courses and readings
Participation in the discussion forum
Live group discussions
One-on-one mentor check-ins once per quarter, as needed
Continuing Education Track
For Adults
Engaged in Leadership, Civic, or Community Work
The Continuing Education Track is for adults who are already carrying responsibility—but want to deepen their judgment, clarity, and leadership.
This path is often chosen by:
community organizers
elected officials
educators and mentors
social leaders and concerned citizens
professionals seeking intellectual and moral grounding
Depth here is not preparation—it is refinement and alignment.
What this track includes:
Full access to Depth courses
Additional access to all other Leadership Education programs and studies
Participation in the discussion forum
One-on-one mentoring with Ian Cox, as needed
What Happens After You Enroll
Once enrolled, participants receive:
immediate access to Depth study materials
entry into the online discussion forum
guidance on next steps and pacing
connection to live discussions and mentorship
There is no need to prepare in advance.
LeaderEd Depth is designed to meet participants where they are—and guide them forward.
Not Sure Which Path Is Right?
Some people know immediately which Depth track is their next step.
You don't need to feel locked in, you can change tracks as needed.
Others want help discerning:
readiness
track fit
timing
or expectations
If that’s you, you’re welcome to schedule a free consultation.
This conversation is not a sales call.
It’s an opportunity for clarity.